It's been called “a magical time machine,” reaching to whatever place hearts hold memories close and secure.

Writer J. Dennis Robinson noted that it is a place for “stopfulness,” a magical sense that suspended animation seems possible even during the first three weeks of December when everyone seems “busier than ever.”

It's then, it has been suggested, that, despite the hustle and bustle, our senses are ever more alert to a moment that recaptures “the way things were.”

It's at that time, perhaps, when Vintage Christmas in Portsmouth is needed more than ever.

And the eighth annual edition, providing its seasonal gift every day of December, with a special Nov. 30 kick-off by the Mara Flynn Trio at the intimate Music Hall's Loft, promises not to disappoint.

“Each year we have more events, more visitors and more acclaim,” says Patricia Lynch, executive director of the Music Hall, who originally had the idea for Vintage Christmas and approached Strawbery Banke Museum about a collaboration.

“I envisioned that Portsmouth could become the Christmas Capital of North America, and well 2012, here we are!” says Lynch. “Portsmouth is the perfect town for Vintage Christmas since it's a charming mix of the contemporary and historical. It's all about celebrating the winter, the warmth, the light, and our collective memories of holidays past.”

If you are new to the Seacoast, Lynch describes Vintage Christmas as a monthlong celebration of winter in a historic working seaport, with Candlelight Strolls at Strawbery Banke Museum, and music, theater, authors and cinema at The Music Hall's two theaters; a free trolley to shuttle visitors around town; tax free shopping with unique, independent shopkeepers; and dining at a diverse number of restaurants.

Stephanie Seacord, director of marketing communications at Strawbery Banke Museum, sees it as a collaboration that needed to be activated on many different levels of partnership to become greater than the sum of its parts. Each year it involves more of the community, which is exactly what its founder Patricia Lynch had in mind, she adds.

Strawbery Banke Museum and The Music Hall anchored the first year with holiday programming that was central to Portsmouth's December celebrations, Seacord explains: ”Candlelight Stroll, which had already been around for 25 years, live holiday shows in the historic theater which were part of The Music Hall history from the beginning in 1878 and First Night, established as a Portsmouth licensee in 1986.”

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Yuletide tunes will again fill the air in downtown Portsmouth as Vintage Christmas gets under way Nov. 30

Then the City of Portsmouth's free Vintage Christmas Trolley was incorporated, and the Greater Portsmouth Chamber of Commerce incorporated the Holiday Doors contest. “The hotels offered packages, the retailers sponsored carolers and this year Seacoast Local is an official community supporter reinforcing the whole idea that Vintage Christmas makes Portsmouth 'the Christmas capital of North America' because it is an authentic community effort,” she says.

Seacord:

“By saying we're the Christmas capital of North America, Vintage Christmas in Portsmouth proclaims that residents and visitors will enjoy an authentic holiday experience that comes from all of our hearts. If we offer the best celebration, world class shows, a classic candlelit Stroll in a historic neighborhood, tax-free holiday shopping, free transportation around town and the warmest hospitality from hotels to restaurants to shops to the people you meet on the streets of Portsmouth, all of us should benefit by having full houses throughout the month of December.“

A writer for Yankee magazine, in the November/December 2012 cover story, proclaims, “If another city does a better job of celebrating Christmas, I have yet to find it.”

The holiday decorations, vignettes and role-players at Strawbery Banke Museum's Candlelight Stroll are designed to carry visitors into holiday lives from the past 300 years in the Portsmouth waterfront neighborhood of “Puddle Dock.”

The 10-acre museum and its 37 historic buildings and role players recreate “'A Winter's Eve on Puddle Dock” by welcoming visitors into the 1919 Russian Jewish kitchen of Mrs. Shapiro as she prepares the Hanukkah celebration, the parlor of the Victorian mansion of NH Governor Goodwin and a 19th century tinsmith and hearth cook in the Wheelwright House. Colonial soldiers warm themselves around the bonfire. The wagon drawn by a winter-furry farm horse, Doc, makes the rounds along the dirt lanes lined with the flickering wood-and-glass candle lanterns that are the signature of Candlelight Stroll.

Each year, says Lawrence J. Yerdon, Strawbery Banke Museum President and CEO, “we make Candlelight Stroll different, while keeping all the cherished traditions our visitors anticipate experiencing alive,” says Lawrence J. Yerdon, Strawbery Banke Museum President and CEO. “This year's 'Winter's Eve on Puddle Dock' theme is portrayed in different eras of our 300-plus year history in this Portsmouth waterfront neighborhood through its seasonal sights, sounds and aromas,” he adds.

It's said that the pace, the beauty, even the candlelight slows the holiday rush down to a pace that people really appreciate and love to share — over and over. One visitor commented, “It's the kind of place you wish were your child's first experience with Christmas lights because it's so calm and peaceful and child-friendly. You walk along the candle-lit paths and then you step into one of the decorated houses and it's like opening a present.”

Vintage Christmas is no less than a classic New England holiday, says Seacord. “Everything is authentically Portsmouth, even the 'Nutcracker' at The Music Hall is the locally-produced '1836 Portsmouth Nutcracker,' “she says.

Candlelight Stroll is created with real candle lanterns, fresh greens and natural materials handmade at Strawbery Banke Museum, and the houses and role players tell the story of holidays in this Portsmouth neighborhood through more than 300 years. Local school children sing carols in the square.

“ 'Vintage Christmas' is a great experience whether you come just for a stroll or a show, grabbing a bite to eat before or after, exploring a walkable city — whether in the winter sun or checking out live music after dark,” says Lynch.

With music and more, the Music Hall offers holiday shows to suit every taste. It all translates to “good fun!” says Kathleen Soldati, director of marketing at The Music Hall. The hall will be festively decorated with wreaths and holiday lights.

“We have a deep curatorial bench. Our curators work hard to 'bring the world to Portsmouth,' “says Soldati. “We have had Natalie MacMaster here in the past and she is always a holiday favorite. 'Merry Funny New England Christmas 2012' has been here twice before and always has a great reception.”

“Merry Funny New England Christmas,” 8 p.m. Dec. 21, is a contemporary classic holiday show and this year, “Comedy Central” comedian Juston McKinney, a Granite State resident, and the Gaudy Baubles will be featuring new comics, new material and new music.

“This place (the Music Hall) is like an extension of my living room; inviting and musical. And the roar of the crowd is wondrous,” MacMaster recalls.

Cape Breton is known for its traditional fiddle music, brought to the island by Scottish immigrants, and has been well preserved by artists such as MacMaster and her father, legendary Cape Breton fiddler Buddy MacMaster.

Her show highlights include world-class step dancing and her energetic fiddle delivering Celtic melodies and Christmas carols. She will be joined in both shows by Oyster River 5th and 6th graders, directed by Beth Struthers.

Kent Stephens' Stage Force also is back at 7 p.m. Dec. 16 and 7:30 p.m. Dec. 17 to the Loft with “Ragpickers Dream,” a holiday celebration of stories, laughter, poetry and song, with new material and old favorites from a wide variety of classic and contemporary sources.

Members of the Great Bay Academy of Dance, the Seacoast's noncompetition dance education center for dancers of all ages, keep the focus local in “An 1836 Portsmouth Nutcracker” Dec. 14-16 at the Music Hall.

The audience once again gets to star in “Messiah Sing!” at 7:30 p.m. Dec. 18 at the Music Hall. New this year is 6:30 p.m. rehearsal for ticketholders.

Soldati promises the “Vintage Christmas Kick Off” at 5:30 p.m. Nov. 30 at The Loft, featuring the Mara Flynn Trio with Kent Allyn and Ben Baldwin, will be “a great coming together of everyone involved in the monthlong celebration.”

So as not to be overwhelmed by all the month has to offer, Lynch offers this tip:

“Go on the Web site for a complete list of events, trolley schedule, etc., and make a plan for celebrating the holidays,” she suggests. “The Web site also includes links to hotels and restaurants. When you arrive in town, park the car and hop on the free trolley and take the full 20-minute route to get an overview of the city — making a note where you want to return to.”